In this review the potential applications of cold atmospheric gas plasmas
are presented with particular reference to the problems of contamination of foods by
biological agents. In addition to the accidental contamination of food, the very real
threat arising from the deliberate contamination of the human food chain is also
considered. The evidence that has been gained for the efficacy of cold plasmas in
inactivating a wide range of biological agents is briefly surveyed. This is followed by
an examination of previous work in which various types of foodstuffs have been
successfully treated using cold gas plasmas. The need to demonstrate that the quality
attributes of treated foods is not adversely affected is stressed. Finally, the role which
gas plasmas may have in decontaminating food processing equipment is considered.